I was diagnosed in April with Fibro and also Adhesive Arachnoiditis, arthritis and degenerative disc disease.
My neurologist had me on Lyrica samples for about six weeks, but we couldn't get the insurance company to approve the prescription. I also did not want to take it anymore as it totally stopped my weight loss progress. I've lost 52 lbs this year!
Anyway, I'm wondering what medications some of you guys are on or have tried that seem to help with the pain and cramping from the Fibro.
Hi Deb and welcome again! I am currently taking Gabapentin 900mg a day, this helps more with nerve pain I have and not really with muscle pain. I just started a new muscle relaxer, Robaxin, and so far I don't know if it will be helpful. The first time I took it I think it did help and the second time I took it I didn't notice a difference. So I will see if it helps, it is only PRN and I am trying not to take it very often. I used to take a different muscle relaxer, Flexeril, but it didn't help me (although I know I have read on here it does help a lot of people). The thing with Fibro is that it is a lot of trial and error, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work with another. Please keep us updated on how you are doing! Hugs!!!
The only painkiller that has really helpd me is Tramadol. It is generic and inexpensive. And it does not seem to have any side effects that I am aware of. I take only 25 mg. at a time usually.
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnoses but congratulations on your weight loss - that is really impressive.
I take Lyrica 100mg 2x a day, tramadol, and I started Savella 3 weeks ago… the Lyrica helped and so does the tramadol, but the savella is a miracle to me! I almost feel brand new, I have energy again and the pain Is down 90%. Ask your Dr for a Lyrica Co pay card, makes it cost only $25. Also I heard Lyrica will have generic starting sometime in 2015. Good luck!
The medications I am currently on that kinda help me, are Cymbalta 60mg witch is kinda like the Lyrica. Ihave been able to loose weight on this. I'm also taking Gabapentin 1800mg a day. Also like you I have the cramps and tension, I use Cylcobenzaprine 10mg to combat this. I do not know if this helpful at all but I hope it maybe. If you need anything else the by all means just message me.
DebADo-I like that name! Hello!
I am currently taking 120 mg generic Cymbalta & tramadol. I may be changing to something else myself if my company changes our insurance coverage–the new insurance will make my generic Cymbalta go from $30.00 to $150.00 for a three month supply! There are several different prescription drugs &/or combinations for relief from fibro symptoms–it is trial & error until you find what is right for you. I find that a nice heating pad placed up & down my back really helps, on my shoulders too. Keeping my stress levels low and making sure I get enough sleep also helps me a lot. A nice soak in the tub helps when my whole body is aching. Like you, I also have DDD & arthritis, severely painful up & down my spine & hips–I am learning that I should be kinder to myself & not push myself too hard when I am in a painful flare.
HUGS from Deb
Hiya and welcome to the site. My name is Val I live in the UK and I’m a retired ( through Fybro ) Pharmacy Technician…meds in the US are slightly >>>>>>different to those we have have here in UK and some you take over there are not licenced for use over here.
Lyrica is most GP’S first line of treatment as it’s the only Drug actually now developed for use in Fybromyalgia. Cymbalta which is an anti depressant is also used for pain relief, giving some relief from the nerve complications like lack of sleep, anxiety and stress.
If Lyrica not tolerated Gabapentim is next down. This is of the same family as Pregabalin ( Lyrica ) and has similar side effects, weight gain not as obvious.
These are the main three drugs of choice to treat the nerve complications in Fybro. You then have many pain relief tabs etc you can try. Please please remember no one is the same on here where the medication is concerned and no one should follow some one else’s regime just to try…could hurt alot.
Talking to your GP seeing a consultant and Neurologist will help you no end.
Take care and we are all here to listen compare symptoms asking has anyone felt this etc…and mainly here to help. Take care and hope all is sorted soon. V
Lyrica will be a problem with weight loss. And lots of other side effects. And I had a problem with withdrawal symptons for a while after getting off of it last year. I would avoid if possible, although it does work. Big plusses and big minuses.
But I take Tramadol for pain. It works great. 50 MG a day, and sometimes 100MG. It works with no side effects that I know of, and I have been using it for 6-8 years, on and off, mostly on. I never have side effects while either using it, or when I stop.
And I take Klonopin at bedtime, .5 MG (small dose but it works)
Hi Deb. first of all you seem to have a positive attitude and I believe that helps so much. I have rhum arthritis in my ankels, knee, hips, and shoulders. Neither my doctor nor the arthritis specialist could confirm fibro BUT along with Celebrex for inflammation, my doctor has me on Cymbalta for pain and a flexiril to relax. She says the #1 thing is to be calm, relaxed, and sleep well. When I stress - I hurt more so I do try to relax and sleep well at night. Fortunately I am retired so I can lay down most days for an hour or so. The Cymbalta has help the general all over pain which helps me function during the day. Praying for you and that you find something that works. (Sorry for the spelling) :)
Hi Deb - welcome to the FIbro site!! SO glad you are here. I have had Fibro for about 30 years now - and was recently diagnosed (sigh) with Osteoporosis. My goodness, you were hit pretty hard with all that you mentioned in your story!! It has been a real challenge for me over the years to find a medicine that works for me. For many years, I was on Celebrex - which worked very well - however, because it is so expensive - my insurance won't allow it anymore.
I was put on Lyrica a couple of years ago - and unfortunately, I was allergic to it - after only having taken it for 3 days. I broke out in horrible rashes all over my body. I looked like a burn victim. So, I will never know if it might have been good for me. I was also diagnosed with Neuropathy - nerve pain, about 4 years ago. Wow! it hurts when it flares up! I also have Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis (disc problems). When it rains....it pours, doesn't it?? I was only 30 when most of this stuff started happening to me.
I wish I could suggest something for your pain though. I take pain medication when the flare-ups are really bad. But I am very judicious in taking it - ONLY when needed. I do get a lot of cramping in the calves, toes and sometimes my thighs. If you get cramping in calves and feet/toes - I can suggest a quick way to stop it. My Dad was a surgeon and he told me years ago, that when I start to feel the cramping in my legs (I usually get them when I am laying down) - to stand up quickly - feet flat on the floor - the cramping stops immediately. For cramping of the toes, I grab my toes and gently pull them backwards for a few seconds and repeat if necessary.
I have suggested my Dad'a advice to many people over the years and it works for most of them. Maybe this will help??
Right now I am in-between medications for my Fibro - as my Doctor wants to run some more tests on me. It is so nice to meet you - and I hope you will stay with this Fibro site. SO many suggestions are available to you AND advice. Gentle Hugs!! Laurie
Hello and Welcome. I have been on many medications for my fibro and arthritis. I will not go through all of them, but I will tell you that I was on Lyrica but had to stop due to hand and feet swelling. I have also been on many muscle relaxants and have finally found one that works for me. It is Tizanidine HCL 4mg prn, up to 3 X's daily. I have finally found relief with this med, though it does have a tendency to make one sleepy. I am disabled anyway due to chronic migraines, so I can take a nap if I want to.I wish you the best of luck. Should you have anymore questions about meds and want honest answers, please feel free to pm me. Marianne
I tried Lyrica but my Doctor suggested i get off of it because I gained twenty pounds in two weeks on it I then went on Cymbalta for several years however it really messed up my mind. I was not the same person on it at all. It took me a long time to get off of Cymbalta and I feel lucky today to still be married an alive and do not suggest this drug to anyone. i was also on Vicodin for a long time and I got rebound pain from the Vicodin and also it just made me sleep all day.
I have since gone off of all prescription meds and have found more natural supplements to take that help me. D-Ribose is very good for pain. I also take Glutathione which helps with energy. I take Reactive Magnesium, D3, Boswella, Vitamin E, I use essential oils in my bath to help on real bad days. My fibro seems to flare when a cold front is approaching or a bad storm. I use a lot of other supplements as well but I do not want to overwhelm you. If you want to go the natural root I would suggest finding a doctor that practices functional medicine. Everyone is different as to what there body lacks and needs. A functional medicine doctor can run a complete blood panel on you to check what your specific body needs.
I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis a yea ago and my neurologist put me on gabapentin. It has helped a lot with the pain in my spine. I am not familiar with Adhesive Arachnoiditis. Where does that cause pain in your body?
Welcome welcome welcome!! I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I’m glad you’ve found us!! Lyrica did not help my pain management at all so I asked for something different. My doctor put me in cymbala and I absolutely swear by it! And it also helped me lose about 50 lbs!! I went from taking about 150 pain pills in a month to taking about 60. I went from 5 or 6 pills a day to maybe taking 2 a day, if I take any at all. It’s completely turned my life around. Ask your doctor if this would be right for you. It has made my disease completely and totally manageable. Please message if you need to talk about other medications, I’ve really been through the ringer in the last few years since my diagnosis and have tried about everything there is out there. Feel better soon and please remember that this disease doesn’t define you!! Love and hugs.
Hi there I was on Tramadol for about 4 years, now I do not take a pain killer but a antidepressant and feel so much better I think it all depends on how we feel, we are all individual
Welcome to the site! You will find lots of nice people here who are willing to help or just listen, if that's what you need. :) Personally, I am attacking this through diet and herbal/natural remedies, and am having success with reduced symptoms, which make it easier for me to work full time, although that's not going to last a lot longer, unfortunately. I am diagnosed with Fibro, PA, and show symptoms of Celiacs and MS :P
Sorry I don't have a lot of answers, but I am sure there is someone else here who can answer your questions better.
Hello and Welcome. I have been on many medications for my fibro and arthritis. I will not go through all of them, but I will tell you that I was on Lyrica but had to stop due to hand and feet swelling. I have also been on many muscle relaxants and have finally found one that works for me. It is Tizanidine HCL 4mg prn, up to 3 X's daily. I have finally found relief with this med, though it does have a tendency to make one sleepy. I am disabled anyway due to chronic migraines, so I can take a nap if I want to.I wish you the best of luck. Should you have anymore questions about meds and want honest answers, please feel free to pm me. Marianne
I’m taking lyrica pregabalin but also taking 30mg oxynorm (oxycodon) 4 times a day with paracetamol.
I have noticed the pregabalin is making me put on a bit of weight also, so I’m trying when I can to exercise to reduce this. I hope you find some help from us all, and good luck with hopefully getting yourself medication to reduce your pain.
Hi Angel - in replying to Deb's discussion - I forgot to mention that I, myself use Tizanidine! It works well for relaxing my muscles when they hurt. Maybe Deb will benefit from the Med and discuss it with her doctor!! Laurie
V